35 of the
744 complaints about the 1998 Ford Ranger are about the
lighting — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
45,000 miles.
I HIT A DEER WHILE COMMING HOME FROM WORK AT 45 MPH AND BENT BUMPER, DENTED LEFT QUARTER PANEL,BROKE LEFT TURN SIGNAL LENS AND CRACKED PLASTIC GRILE. AIRBAGS DID NOT APPLY OR ENGAGE. I ALSO HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES TO GET MY DOOR ALARM CHIP REPLACED @ 50 DOLLARS EACH TIME. ON LAST ATTEMPT MY EXTENDED WARANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THEY REFUSED TO HONER THE PROBLEM AND PROMISE TO REPLACE.EVEN THOUGH IT WAS AN EXSISTING PROBLEM. THIS WAS PRIOR TO HITTING THE DEER.
NHTSA complaint #10730489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Zavalla, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1998 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL MELTED. ALSO, THE HEAD LAMP SWITCH AND CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10722973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesTemple City, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TURN SIGNALS FAILURE AT TIMES, DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10492989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesEdgewood, WA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
UPON ACTIVATING TURN SIGNAL ON A DARK MORNING, THE HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY FAILED. ACTIVATING THE DIM/BRIGHT LEVER PROVIDED INTERMITTENT ACTIVATION. UPON RELEASE OF THE DIM/BRIGHT FUNCTION THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT REMAIN ON IN EITHER DIM OR BRIGHT MODE. OTHER USERS OF VEHICLE REPORT COMPLETE HEADLIGHT FAILURE. THEY TOO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESTORE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY AFTER SEVERAL FRANTIC SECONDS OPERATING THE LIGHT SWITCH OR THE DIMMING LEVER WHILE TRAVELING IN THE DARK.
NHTSA complaint #10446786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesNorthglenn, CO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
98' FORD RANGER: HAS A CRACKED FRAME ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE. TRUCK MAKES LOUD NOISES WHEN DRIVING AND I AM AFRAID IT MAY BECOME WORSE OVER TIME OR COMPLETELY BREAK DOWN IN UNSAFE SPEEDS. I CAN NOT SELL IT, AS I WAS TRYING TO USE THE MONEY FOR A NEW VEHICLE DUE TO A NEW BABY IN OUR FAMILY. NO ONE WILL BUY SUCH A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. ALSO SEAT BELTS WILL NOT STAY LATCHED? ALSO THE INSIDE DOME LIGHT MELTS RIGHT THROUGH THE COVERING, WHERE TEMPERATURES MAKE THE PLASTIC COVER BUBBLE AND MELT.
NHTSA complaint #10383860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesLayton, UT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
THIS IS A 98 FORD RANGER XLT WITH 73,000 MILES, MY PROBLEM IS THE TURNING SIGNALS FROM MY 98 FORD RANGER, EVERYTIME THAT I TURNED MY TRUCK ON IT MAKES A SQUEAKING SOUND AROUND MY STEERING WHEEL, THEN RIGHT AWAY MY LEFT TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT TURNS ON BY ITSELF, RIGHT AWAY WHEN THE LEFT TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT TURNS ON BY ITSELF THE SQUEAKING SOUND GOES AWAY, SO NOW TO QUIT MY LEFT TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT FROM KEEPING LIGHTING ON BY ITSELF I HAVE TO PUSH DOWN THE EMERGENCY BUTTON ON TOP OF MY STEERING WHEEL WHICH TURN BOTH TURNING SIGNAL LIGHTS ON, THEN RIGHT AWAY I HAVE TO PUSH IT DOWN AGAIN TO TURN THEM OFF, AT THAT TIME THERE IS NO SQUEAKING SOUND, BUT AFTER 5 OR 10 MORE MINUTES THE ANNOYING SOUND COMES BACK ON AND I HAVE TO DO THE WHOLE PROCESS AGAIN TO TURN OFF THE SQUEAKING SOUND, IT JUST STARTED TO HAPPENED 3 MONTHS AGO.
NHTSA complaint #10286715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesHaughton, LA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENS ARE SEVERELY CLOUDY, A LOT WORSE AS TIME TIME GOES ON....YEARS AGO, WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK THEY WERE CLEAR, NOW THEY ARE VERY - VERY OPAC, CLOUDY, SO BAD THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE THE HEADLIGHT BULB ! THERE ARE MANY VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM! SO MANY, IN FACT THAT THE PART STORE AFTERMARKET INDUSTRIES HAVE COME OUT WITH A RESTORATION KIT . I AM SURE THAT THE CLOUDY, OPAC LENS DO SEVERELY LESSEN THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT EMITTED THROUGH THE LENS. MY OPINION ON THIS IS THAT THE TYPE OF PLASTIC SELECTED BY FORD SEEMED FINE BACK IN 1998 BUT OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS THE PLASTIC DETERIORATES. MY RECOMMENDATIONS IS TO HAVE THE MANUFACTURES REPLACE THEM. BY, I DID BUY THE KIT FROM A PARTS STORE AND IT IS CALLED HEADLIGHT RESTORER / DEFOGGER KIT. MYHEADLIGHT.COM . MY BROTHER AND I HAND BUFFED HIS 2001 JEEP HEADLIGHTS AND IT TOOK US ALMOST 2 HOURS ! IT DID HELP THE AMOUNT OF LIGHTING! P.S. SORRY, HAVEN'T GOT SPELL-CHECK....
NHTSA complaint #10247863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smokerun, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HAZARD SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GARAGE AND THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10199393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loveland, CO
INTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HIS 1998 FORD RANGER THE INTERIOR DOOM LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10180631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morgantown, KY
INTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR DOOR JAM SWITCHES DUE TO SWITCHES GETTING GUMMED UP AND FAILING. ALSO LATCHES ON THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR DOORS WHERE THE SWITCH IS MOUNTED HAD ALOT OF COROSION ON THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10068134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 milesNovato, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED A PUFF OF SMOKE, AND A CRACKLING SOUND BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT MULTI-FUNCTION MODULE HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #10067128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesJeffersonville, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER MUST TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS TO OPERATE AGAIN. *AK WHEN THE CONSUMER PLACED THE HIGH BEAMS ON, THEY WOULD FAIL TO GO BACK TO DIM. THE SWITCH ON THE DASH SOMETIMES FAILED TO BRING THE LIGHTS ON, WOULD TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE GOING OFF. THE SWITCHES IN THE DOORS WERE FAULTY AND CASUED THE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO TURN OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10063013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesPomona, KS
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOOR WAS AJAR AND LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. IT WAS REPAIRED ONCE, BUT HAS RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10055617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesSeattle, WA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ASHTRAY BECAUSE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A LIGHT NEAR THE ASHTRAY. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP.*AK THE DEALERSHIP HAD NO OPTION TO ADD A LIGHT TO THE ASHTRAY. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED LED LIGHTS AND INSTALLED THEM HIMSELF. CONSUMER FEELS ANY VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AN ASHTRAY SHOULD HAVE LIGHTING TO MAKE IT VISIBLE. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10042520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Advance, IN
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND DOME LIGHT STAYING ON, PLUS THE WIPERS ARE IRRADIC AND THE WINDOWS WILL SOMETIMES GO DOWN ON THEIR OWN. IT WAS FIXED ONCE AND NOW IT'S HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. IT SEEMS TO ME THERE ARE AN AWFUL LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OUT THERE ON THIS VERY SAME ITEM AND I FEEL FORD SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. I CALLED THEM AND ASKED IF THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THEY WOULD FIX SEEING AS IT'S ONE OF THEIR MECHANICAL DEFECTS AND THEY REPLIED WITH A 'NO'. I AM TO THE POINT THAT I JUST WANT TO GET RID OF THIS VEHICLE. I ALSO NOTED THEY HAVE A MENTION OF HOW THIS VEHICLES LEANS. THAT IS ALSO TRUE. MY RANGER LEANS. I THINK THIS TRUCK IS A TRUE LEMON.
NHTSA complaint #761724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fontana, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT DISABLES LEFT DIRECTIONAL.
NHTSA complaint #758299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crawfordsville, IN
INTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERIOR LIGHT WILL STAY ON EVEN W/ALL DOORS CLOSED, DOOR AJAR LIGHT SHOWS ON DASH, DID HEAR POPPING NOISE FROM UNDER DASH, WHEN LIGHTS DID GO OFF AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING, PARKED VEHICLE IN P-LOT AT WORK WITH LIGHT STILL ON, WENT TO CHECK AN HOUR LATER THE LIGHT WAS OFF, SEEMS TO HAPPEN RANDOMLY.
NHTSA complaint #753899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
INTERIOR LIGHTING
INTERIOR DOME LIGHT FAILS TO TURN OFF WHEN DOOR SHUT/"DOOR AJAR" LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DOOR IS SHUT.
NHTSA complaint #748092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Havolock, NC
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOOR WILL NOT REGISTER AS BEING CLOSED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. DASH SENSOR STATES THAT "DOOR IS AJAR" WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED. ALSO, DOME LIGHT WILL COME ON AND OFF WHILE GOING AROUND TURNS. *AK THE DOOR IS AJAR STAYS ON SOMETIME AND GOES OFF IN A WHILE AT OTHER TIME.
NHTSA complaint #883258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOME LIGHT STAYS WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING. THEN, IT MAY GO OFF AFTER AN HOUR. DEALER CAN'T FIND CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #882253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamilton, OH
INTERIOR LIGHTING
CONSUMER'S SECOND VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND COURTESTY LIGHT STAYING ON,
NHTSA complaint #880446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamul, CA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOOR AJAR AND LIGHT STAYING ON FOR 45 MINUTES OR MORE BEFORE SHUTING OFF. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK A SEAL IN THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS LEAKING AND HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, PLACE WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED IS GOING TO REPLACE VEHICLE BECAUSE IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE TRANSMISSION, COMPUTER CHIP, AND DRIVESHAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #880149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hogansville, GA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE INFORMATION I HAVE PROVIDED IS IN REGARD TO THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT OF MY VEHICLE. I DRIVE MOSTLY AT NIGHT AND IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS. THE DOME LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF IN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. I HAVE DRIVEN HOME FROM WORK ON A FEW OCCASSIONS WITH THE DOME LIGHT ON THE WHOLE WAY. THE LIGHT GETS VERY HOT AND IT MAKES SEEING OUT OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR DIFFICULT AT BEST. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR WORSE, A VEHICLE FIRE WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT OFTEN ENOUGH TO CAUSE CONCERN. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #739695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Medfield, MA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOOR AJAR - FALSE READING. DOME LIGHT STAYS ON WITH DOOR CLOSED.
NHTSA complaint #739294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, MI
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOME LIGHT STAYS ON ALL TIME. A COUPLE OF TIMES SMOKE CAME FROM DOME. TRUCK HAS BEEN SEEN BY DEALERSHIP ABOUT 4 OR 5 TIMES. LIGHT STAYS OFF FOR A DAY OR TWO, AND COMES RIGHT BACK ON. PLEASE LIST ANY OTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #867845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garnervill, NY
INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE FUSES FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FAIL CONSTANTLY. YH
NHTSA complaint #552362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rosamond, CA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON WHICH CAUSES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY ON AND UP TO 40 MINUTES. CONTACTED DEALER. THEY HAVE CLEANED THE SWITCH AND REPLACED INTERIOR LIGHTS. BUT, VEHICLE STILL HAS THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #858249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
INTERIOR LIGHTING
CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER BOLTS CAME OUT KNOCKING HOLE THROUGH TRANSMITION CASE.TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER HAD TO BE CUT OUT AFTER SPEED NUTS BROKE LOOSE.HEATER FAILED THREE TIMES.THERMOSTAT REPLACED TWICE DIDN'T HELP.BOLTS HOLDING COOLING FAN ON CAME OUT.SWITCH FOR DOME LIGHT FAILED, AND BRAKE ROTORS WARPED.
NHTSA complaint #719838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seminole, TX
INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DOME LIGHT HAS FAILED WITHIN A YEAR OF THE ORIGINAL REPAIR, SHOP CLAIMED IT WAS A COMMON DEFECT. HAVE AN E-MAIL FROM FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE URGING ME TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED FOR MY OWN SAFETY AMONG OTHER REASONS.
NHTSA complaint #719071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DOME LIGHT AND DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAY ON WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER WOULD NOT ADDRESS ISSUE UNTIL IT WAS CONSTANT.
NHTSA complaint #718844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.